The Northern Borders region in Saudi Arabia is currently witnessing an unusual start to winter with heavy rain, snow and giant hailstones, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Local residents have shared video clips on social media platforms showing hail and snow covering mountains and areas in Al-Jouf, Hail and Tabuk.
“Hail suffered heavy hail on 2 November, the desert road between Rafha and Hail turned white. Heavy hail also occurred in Turaif and north of Madinah region,” a local resident wrote on X.
Saudi Arabia.
November 2, 2024Hail suffered heavy hail on 2 November, The desert road between Rafhaa and Hail turned white. Heavy hail also occurred in Turaif and north of Medina. pic.twitter.com/LBFVYOjIZ3
— Sarahh (@Sarahhuniverse) November 7, 2024
The Northern Borders is not familiar with annual snowfall. However, the early start of the winter has surprised people because they usually experience it in December and January.
In the light of this, Riyadh resident Mohammed Al-Harbi noted that the heavy rainfall, hailstorm, with record-breaking sub-zero temperatures at this time and snowfall as a result are a pleasant surprise and also an indicator that climate change is real.
“For those who say climate change is not real, take a peek at the cold weather conditions that Saudi Arabia is currently going through in the Northern Borders region at the onset of winter,” Al-Harbi added.
The current weather conditions have also caused flash floods in some areas.
As a result, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) forecast on Friday: “Dust-stirring winds will blow and moderate to heavy rain accompanied by hail, leading to flash floods in parts of Hail, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Baha.”
The NCM also noted that it is anticipated that Makkah and Madinah regions will experience light to moderate rain.
Moreover, there may also be fog in those areas and in southern parts of the Eastern Region.
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